Making cheese on toast in the air fryer could not be simpler! This is a classic UK style cheese on toast recipe with cheddar cheese, and cooks perfectly in the air fryer – easier than using a grill, with better results. I’ll show you how I make this, but it’s easy to adapt to your own family’s preferences!
Cheese on toast means something different to everyone, and every family will have its own opinions, but what my recipe is trying to achieve is the simplest version. Buttery toast with cheddar cheese melted to a slight crisp, with a few shakes of Worcestershire sauce (in my case, anchovy free vegan Worcestershire sauce please).
It is not rarebit style, which is puffy and creamy and mustardy. Rarebit is an absolute delight, and we may try it in the air fryer on another day, but this recipe is not it.
Lots of families will make it in a sort of hybrid way, where the cheese is mixed with milk or condiments before being added to the bread, and it’s fine to adapt the recipe in those ways. I did trial this a few different ways, and the cook time holds up. But once you’re straying too far from my recipe towards rarebit, then keep an eye on things as the cook time may change.
Ingredient Notes & Variations
- Bread can be white or brown, no worries, but my recipes uses plain sandwich bread. If you use something thicker, you may want a little extra pre-toasting time.
- I’ve only ever tried this with cheddar cheese. Though I am sure plenty of other cheeses will work, the cooking times will vary because all cheeses have different melting properties. So just keep checking in after the 4 minute mark.
- It’s best to use grated cheese, not sliced. And it’s best if you’re grating the cheese off the block yourself rather than pre-grated (which gets tossed in non-stick coating). If, however, you need to use sliced or pre grated cheese, just note that once again the cooking times will vary so keep checking in from the 4 minute mark.
- The classic flavor addition would be Worcestershire sauce. This is what is responsible for the darker patches on top of the cheeses. I don’t use the real deal because it contains anchovies, but vegan versions are fairly easy to source. Hot sauce is another great choice, unconventional as it may be. You can add this before or after cooking, depending on whether you’d prefer the flavor to be “baked in” or a contrasting topping.
- If you want a slightly creamier result, mix the cheese in a little bit of milk before adding it to the toast. But as I mentioned before, this isn’t rarebit, so if your topping becomes too wet and creamy, it may require a different cooking time. Just keep checking in.
Prep Time: 5minutes
Cook Time: 10minutes
Ingredients
- 2 slices of bread (white or whole wheat)
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese (or mix)
- 1 tbsp butter (softened)
- ¼ tsp garlic powder (optional)
- Pinch of dried oregano or chili flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Prep Bread: Lightly butter one side of each bread slice.
- Top with Cheese: Place the slices on a plate, buttered side down. Spread cheese evenly on top. Sprinkle garlic powder or herbs if using.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat to 180°C (360°F) for 2–3 minutes.
- Air Fry: Place the slices in the air fryer basket (cheese side up). Cook at 180°C (360°F) for 4–6 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden.
- Serve: Remove carefully and serve hot.
Nutrition
Serving: 2slices, Calories: 569kcal, Carbohydrates: 27g, Protein: 23g, Fat: 41g, Saturated Fat: 23g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 9g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 112mg, Sodium: 858mg, Potassium: 124mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 1177IU, Calcium: 675mg, Iron: 2mg
